Electrical connector having facile engagement means



M. L. JAYNE Filed Feb. 25, 1967 215 U n W1 H n /////U/A U ZU I wfmnnnnnn L [5 A! 35 /6 INVENTOR. MAX A. J4 YNE QMZAM ATTQAWZY U U U U United States Patent Oflice 3,432,795 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Means for reducing the insertion resistance and facilitating sliding engagement and seated securement of a plurality of contact elements with a plurality of resilient receiving elements in a two part electrical connector combination. The inserting connector part has engagement means formed to define a contour of insertion which makes contact with the resilient elements in the receiving connector part in a nonparallel manner to provide nonsimultaneous engagement between the contact and receiving elements.

Background of the invention This invention relates to electrical connector combinations having multiple contacts and receiving elements therein and more particularly to means for facilitating facile sliding engagement and seated securement of the contacts and resilient receiving elements of such electrical connector combinations.

In certain types of electrical connector combinations, a plurality of connection are consummated by sliding engagement between contact elements in one connector portion and resiliently mounted receiving elements in a mated second connector portion. It is common practice for the connector and receiving elements to intersect in a uniformly parallel manner whereupon considerable initial insertion force is required to overcome the combined resilience of the receiving elements to effect initial entry of the contacts into sliding relationship therewith. This is particularly bothersome when inserting circuit boards as the required initial insertion force sometimes results in a slight flexure of the board which is detrimental to the circuitry thereon. A reduction of the pressure of the resilient receiving elements against the contacts has been tried, but this also results in a lessening of the seated securement pressure therebetween which is undesirable.

Objects and summary of the invention It is an object of the invention to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide an improved means for facilitating facile sliding engagement and seated securement of the multiple contacts and the resilient receiving elements of electrical connector combinations.

Another object is to provide facile engagement and securement without a reduction in the normal operating contact pressure exerted between the receiving elements and the contact elements.

The foregoing objects are achieved in one aspect of the invention by the provision of a two piece electrical connector combination wherein a first or inserting connector part has a plurality of contact elements spacedly oriented relative to a leading portion which has a defined contour of insertion terminally formed thereon. A second or receiving connector part has a plurality of resilient contact receiving elements mounted therein in a substantially uniform line defining a plane of reception formed to accept the contour of insertion of the first connector part in a gradual nonparallel manner. Thus, the mating of the two connector parts is easily facilitated by the nonsimultaneous engagement of the contacts with their respective receiving elements.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a partially sectioned view of one type of electrical connector combination illustrating one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are views of other embodiments of the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a partially sectioned view of another type of electrical connector combination illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Description of the preferred embodiment For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following specification and appended claims in connection with aforedescribed drawing.

With reference to the drawing, one embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 1 wherein a first or inserting connector part 11 in the form of a circuit connector board is poised for entry into a second or receiving connector part 21 formed as a compatible socket therefor. The circuit board, whereof the circuitry details are omitted, is in this instance of substantially planar insulative material 12 having a plurality of contact elements 13 spacedly oriented relative to the leading portion 15 of the board. As illustrated, the engagement means 'or leading portion has a defined contour of insertion 16 terminally formed thereon of which there is at least one protruding or vertex region 17.

The receiving socket or mated second connector part 2.1, of which a partial cross-section is shown, has a plurality of resilient contact receiving elements 23 mounted therein in a substantially uniform line of reception defining a plane of reception 24 which is delineated by the proximal ends 25 of the resilient elements 23. Extending exteriorly of the socket are distal portions 27 of the resilient elements formed to provide means for external electrical connections. Opposed guide chanels 29 and 29' are formed in the socket part to accept the side portions 20 and 20' of the boards.

The circuit board contour of insertion16 has two angular portions or edges 18 and 18' each being defined by an Act which is formed by the intersection of an edge with a vertex oriented plane 19, spaced from and parallel with the plane of reception 24. This facilitates nonsimultaneous engagement of the connector and receiving elements as the two connector parts are brought together and reduces the insertion resistance therebetween. The Lot is intended to be a general designation and will be referenced as such in all embodiments. The socket connector part has an accommodation recess 31 having a depth x to adequately receive the insertion depth a of the leading portion of the board 12.

The embodiment shown in FIGURE 2 utilizes a contour of insertion 16' of one angular edge portion 33 whereof the angular definition 4a is formed as aforedescribed. Since the singular angular edge portion elfects sequential insertion contact with the receiving elements, a minimum insertion force is required.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the contact elements 13 and 13' are in abutting relationship with the contour of insertion. Thus, contact is provided between the contacts and receiving elements when the contour of insertion engages the plane of reception.

In FIGURES 3 and 4 the embodiments utilize circuit boards or first connector parts whereof the leading portions 37 and 37' and the contours of insertion 39 and 39' are of insulative material. The contact elements 14 and 14' are spacedly oriented on the respective leading portions in a manner removed from the contours of insertion. Thus, the respective depths of insertion c and d are of insulative material. The two angular portions 35 and 35' of the FIGURE 3 embodiment have angular definitions 4m formed in a manner already described. In FIGURE 4, the contour of insertion 39 is arcuately formed from a vertex region 17 with the angles of definition varying in accordance with the curvature of the surface.

Of the several embodiments of the circuit board leading portions shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, the several contours of. insertion of the engagement means and the depths of insertion a, b, c, and d are such that they are equally accommodated by the aforementioned accommodation recess 31 in the second connector or socket part 21. Each of the respective boards are seated therein by the vertex 1 7 contacting the bottom 32 thereof or by the board stop portions 22 and 22' meeting with the socket stop portions 26 and 26. If desired, the accommodation recess can be shaped to the contour of insertion of a particular board. It is preferable that the resilient receiving elements exert substantially uniform engagement and securementpressure against the contact elements.

With reference to FIGURE 5, still another embodiment is shown whereof a first connector part 11' in the form of a plug or tube base 43 has a plurality of contact elements of varying lengths in the form of pins 45 extending therefrom. The ends of these pins define one or more contours of insertion 49 and 49', having angular definitions 4a and La with the plane of vertex 19' which intersects the vertex 47 of the longest pin. As described for the previous embodiments, the vertex oriented plane is parallel with the plane of reception 24' defined by the proximal ends 25' of the resilient receiving elements 23 mounted in the second connector or socket part 21'. As the base or plug is inserted into the socket member, nonsimultaneous engagement of the pins and receiving elements facilitates facile engagement of the multiple connections.

Thus, the engagement of a plurality of connections in two connector parts is easily facilitated without resorting to high initial insertion force and without a reduction in the normal operating and securement contact pressure exerted between the receiving elements and the contact elements.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a combination of a substantially planar circuit board of insulative base material having a plurality of contact elements thereon and a socket member having a plurality of resilient receiving elements oriented to define a plane of reception therein, means for facilitating sliding engagement of said circuit board into said socket member comprising:

engagement means in the form of a leading portion of said board having the edge thereof formed to provide a contour of insertion of a shape divergent to said plane of reception to facilitate non-simultaneous engagement of said leading portions therewith; and

an accommodation recess formed in said socket member and having a depth to adequately receive said contour of insertion and said leading portion to facilitate complete pressured engagement and seated securement of said contact elements with said resilient receiving elements.

2. Means for facilitating sliding engagement of said circuit board into said socket member according to claim 1 wherein said contour of insertion has at least one angular edge thereon defined by an angle formed by the intersection of said edge with a plane parallel to said plane of reception to facilitate nonsimultaneous engagement of said contour of insertion with said plane of reception of said receiving elements in said socket member.

3. Means for facilitating sliding engagement of said circuit board into said socket member according to claim 1 whereof said contour of insertion has at least one armately formed edge portion thereon to facilitate nonsimultaneous engagement of said contour of insertion with said plane of reception of said receiving elements in said socket member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

JOHN R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

